YOUR FUTURE IS HERE FOR THE MAKING.

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Manufacturers in Western New York are facing a workforce shortage. It is estimated that there will be over 17,000 manufacturing jobs available in Western New York by 2020. Clearly the current workforce shortage will soon reach crisis levels as the baby boomer generation exits the workforce in droves. Without a concerted effort through a private, public and education partnership to address the workforce demand of manufacturers the Western New York economy will be devastated. Without a workforce manufacturers cannot produce product, cannot grow and cannot effectively meet the challenges of competing in a global economy.

Manufacturing is a very significant component of the Western New York economy. Manufacturing accounts for $25.5 billion in annual shipments per year. Manufacturing is importing new dollars into the Western New York economy. There are 1,604 manufacturers in the five county region of Western New York. Over 68,300 people are employed in manufacturing jobs in Western New York. Manufacturing represents over $3.5 billion in annual payroll in Western New York.

There are six priority skilled job categories including welding, machining, electro-mechanical technician, mechanics, quality assurance inspecting, electrical and production operations. The average salary in these priority roles is $42,035. The average salary in the region is $38,600. Manufacturing is providing Western New Yorkers with great job opportunities that pay 9% above the regional salary average.

Manufacturing in Western New York is on the rebound. The up-turn in the economy compounded by re-shoring of manufacturing has helped this sector gain strength. A reinvigorated manufacturing sector will require a skilled workforce to continue this growth pattern. Dream It Do It Western New York (DIDIWNY) is addressing the workforce needs of manufacturers through the coordination of stakeholders and resources.

Dream It Do It Western New York Mission and Vision

MissionThe Dream It Do It mission is to increase the skilled workforce pipeline entering manufacturing careers.

VisionDIDIWNY is the catalyst organization of the Dream It Do It manufacturing career initiative with a vision to provide Allegany County, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara manufacturers with a labor force that has the skill and training levels required to meet their demands.

Principles

We Provide Oversight of the regional Dream It Do It Initiative

We Align Resources: Bringing together key stakeholders within a system that is result driven as well as sustainable, and meets the needs of the employer.

We Identify Program Development Needs: Through primary, secondary and technical schools we identify and advise the development of necessary training and education opportunities that help sustain manufacturing.

We Implement a Comprehensive Communication Strategy: Through paid advertising and earned media opportunities the Dream It Do It Initiative spreads its message throughout the region promoting a clear understanding of high value, advanced, hi-tech manufacturing and its enormous contribution to innovation, productivity, economic growth, wealth building and high quality jobs.

We Coordinate Activities: We implement grass roots activities that include: industry tours, manufacturing camps and outreach to school systems. These functions are structured as learning activities that expose young people to the world of manufacturing.

Dream It Do It History

Dream It Do It (DIDI) is a national program initiative by the Manufacturing Institute, a division of the National Association of Manufacturers. The Manufacturing Institute launched the program in 2007 following a national manufacturing workforce assessment and in response to the growing concerns of manufacturers throughout the United States who are voicing their need for workforce development.

The Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier purchased the licensing for DIDI through the Manufacturing Institute and facilitated and funded the startup of the program in Western New York. Dream It Do It Western New York (DIDIWNY) started in Chautauqua County in 2009, expanded into Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties in 2010 and grew into Erie and Niagara Counties in 2012.

DIDIWNY is a private, public and educational partnership that is pro-actively addressing the shortage of skilled employees available to the manufacturing sector.

Governance

Dream It Do It Western New York is governed by an eleven member board of directors. Each of the five Western New York Counties has two seats on the board. One member from each county is required to be a manufacturer. The second board member can be a manufacturer or can represent a stakeholder organization such as a college, university, school, etc. Board members are selected (missing text here)

Strategy and Tactics

The Dream It Do It Program has three primary strategies including educating teachers and the community, energizing young people to build the talent pipeline, and providing hands on manufacturing experiences and opportunities.

Strategy 1: Educating the Educators & the Community

Educate Students, Teachers, Counselors, Administrators, Parents and Post-secondary Educators about Advanced Manufacturing, the region’s manufacturers, the opportunities that exist within these organizations and the skills and the educational requirements for careers in manufacturing.

Tactics:

Earned Media, Social Media & Paid Advertising

Presentations to stakeholders

Teacher/Counselor Work Experiences

Installation of Dream It Do It Champions within schools

Strategy 2: Energizing the Talent Pipeline

Conduct events designed to energize the talent pipeline exposing students and educators to Advanced Manufacturing.